Indianapolis, Indiana- On April 9th at 5pm, Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) will host a ribbon cutting celebration as they open the doors to the first and only cultural center on Indy’s Far Eastside.

“We are excited to be able to provide a place where children and families of our community can come together and be inspired to cultivate and participate in the arts,” said PLA Founder and CEO Earl Martin Phalen. “With the support of Lilly Endowment Inc., this is going to be transformative for this community and for our scholars to have this new hub for creative expression.”

PLA was awarded a $3 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment Inc. 's Strengthening Indianapolis Through Arts and Cultural Innovation initiative to bring life and new purpose to an old and empty church located adjacent to James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy. Transforming the space creates an artistic hub in one of Indianapolis’ most dangerous neighborhoods where scholars and families can be empowered through the arts and cultural enrichment.

“We believe that the projects, including PLA’s Cultural Center, will significantly enhance the quality of life for residents in Indianapolis and create compelling new experiences for visitors,” said Rob Smith, the Endowment’s Vice President for Community Development.

At the Center, PLA scholars and community members will give the Far Eastside a true art infusion as producers, editors and owners of their own artistic work. 1,500 youth will have access to a state-of-the-art recording studio with professional-grade audio recording equipment and production software so that community members can create their own music, and youth can take into practice everything they have learned during the school year to produce soundtracks for stage productions and score their own 3D films. Students will write, score and perform their own pieces.

The ribbon cutting takes place on April 9th, 5pm-6:30pm at 4352 N. Mitthoeffer Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46235. Participants are asked to RSVP at http://bit.ly/PLARSVP or at the link available at PhalenAcademies.org

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is a nonprofit turnaround school operator with a network of high quality, tuition-free public and charter schools across the United States. PLA is based in Indianapolis and currently serves 6,000 scholars in 14 schools across the country.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family – J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli – through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support causes of community development, education and religion. Lilly Endowment’s community development grantmaking is designed to support efforts that enhance the quality of life in Indianapolis and Indiana. Visit lillyendowment.org. ###

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The McKinney-Vento Act protects scholars from discrimination based on their lack of a permanent residence. Homeless Scholars are eligible to receive a variety of services including: transportation services, free meals under the school nutrition programs, limited English proficiency class, gifted and talented programs, and special education services based on a scholar’s eligibility. Homeless Scholars will not be denied enrollment based on lack of proof of residency. Please consult the McKinney-Vento Act Liaison if you need assistance. The PLA Network does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability or national origin in any employment and/or educational opportunity. No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity for which the PLA Network Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The PLA Network values diversity.